Prevalence of post-COVID symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms in patients who have survived COVID-19. METHODS: The study used an observational cross-sectional design between July and October 2021. The target population was adult patients who had confirmed COVID-19 infection prior to joining the study, OCD symptoms were assessed using the Arabic OCD scale created by Abohendy and colleagues, which included 83 questions covering 12 different domains and was administired online. RESULTS: A total of 356 patients were included in the analysis. Approximately 9.0% and 1.7% of the patients had a history of psychiatric disease and OCD diagnosis (respectively). The total symptom score was 32.8%. The most frequently reported domains were rumination of ideas (55.5%), re-checking compulsions (37.0%), and slowness (34.0%), while the least frequently reported domains included obsessive impulses (26.3%), obsessive images (26.5%), and religious compulsions (26.8%). Unlike other domains, the purity and cleanliness compulsions scores were significantly higher than the scale reference population. A higher total symptom score was observed in psychiatric patients (p=0.004) and, to a lesser extent, in OCD patients (p=0.250). CONCLUSION: Overall, OCD symptoms, including cleanliness and fear of disease obsessions, tend to be higher in psychiatric and OCD patients, these findings are valuable for future studies.

Population perceived eye strain due to digital devices usage during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To assess the magnitude severity and determinants of eyestrain and the use of digital devices in a Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. METHODS: This web-based survey was conducted in September 2020 and enrolled only Saudi nationals 15 years or older. Data were collected on demographics, eye strain related symptoms, severity, and the use of optical aids during the COVID-19 lockdown. The frequency and severity of eye strain were calculated. A Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) score was graded as none/mild moderate and severe, based on the sum of 15-eye strain related signs and symptoms. Correlation analysis was performed for determinants of CVS. RESULTS: The study sample was comprised of 2009 individuals with median age of 20 years. Among those who used digital devices for more than 6 h daily, the main reasons for use were work and social purposes among 68.4%, and 61% of respondents, respectively. The prevalence of knowledge on CVS and the '20-20 rule for using digital devices' was 9.4% and 6.9, respectively. The most common symptoms of eye strain from digital device usage were headache, burning, itching, tearing, and redness of eyes. Six hours of daily usage of digital devices was positively associated to the grade of eye strain severity during the COVID-19 lockdown (P < 0.05)). CONCLUSION: The Saudi population experienced eye strain during COVID-19 lockdown due to excessive digital devices usage. Longer duration of digital device usage was associated to eye strain. Health care providers should educate the general population on measures to mitigate eye strain due to digital devices. Trial registration ID None applicable.

Self-Efficacy of Saudi Patients with Autoimmune Diseases in Managing Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Ocular Complications: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are common autoimmune diseases (AD) that affect joints and have multi-organ involvement that results in disability, morbidity, and increased mortality. Both conditions are known to cause a wide range of ocular manifestations. Antimalarial drugs, mainly hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are among the treatment options for AD that is uniquely characterized by retinopathy as a main side effect. This study examines self-efficacy levels in autoimmune disease patients who were or are currently treated with HCQ and related factors such as patient education, communication with the physician, self-education, and ability to cope with the disease.

The Prevalence and Association of Depression and Anxiety With Multiple Sclerosis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often associated with depression and anxiety, with no clear prevalence, and the relationship between them is not fully understood. Methods In a cross-sectional study of 365 multiple sclerosis patients selected through a random sampling method from the MS society of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, we collected data by self-administered questionnaires - the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire - and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics. Results Approximately 51.1% of participants had moderate or severe anxiety and 64% of them had depression among community-based multiple sclerosis patients according to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, and according to the PHQ-9 Arabic version about 28.85% showed mild to moderate depression. The MS patients aged 53 to over 60 years showed higher levels of mild anxiety (76.32%) and higher levels of depression ranging from mild to moderate (53.61%) (P = 0.001). While the MS patients younger than 53 years showed moderate to severe anxiety (60.71%) and depression levels (62.32%). In different age group bad health status (37.6%) was associated with a higher prevalence of depression levels (P =< 0.001) and people who were widowed (22.38%), divorced (26%), and separated (37.82%) had significant depression levels (P = 0.017). In terms of anxiety, 54.58% of females had anxiety (P = 0.005), more older people showed anxiety (43.17%) (P = 0.026), and people with a bad general health state (26.38%) had anxiety (P = <0.001). Conclusion Among different types of MS patients, anxiety is more prevalent in the elder group (76%) of people and depression is more prevalent in young patients (62%).

Tardive dyskinesia occurring in a young woman after withdrawal of an atypical antipsychotic drug.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is one of the most serious and disturbing side-effects of dopamine receptor antagonists. It affects 20-50% of patients on long-term antipsychotic therapy. The pathophysiology of TD remains poorly understood, and treatment is often challenging. Here, we present a 32-year-old woman presenting with a 9-month history of TD occurring after risperidone withdrawal, and characterized almost exclusively by tongue protrusion. After being seen by different specialties and undergoing multiple investigations, she was eventually correctly diagnosed with TD by a specialist team and successfully treated with amantadine. Vigilance and awareness of this condition and its risk factors are required to make the correct diagnosis, especially in cases with unusual presentations caused by atypical antipsychotics, and treatment can be challenging.